Breakfast in Bed Ideas

Treat your loved one like a guest and serve up an unforgettable breakfast in bed.

Breakfast in bed is the perfect start to birthdays, Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, not to mention a great way to surprise loved ones just because. Make yours unforgettable with these budget-friendly ideas for breakfast in bed serving trays, foods and drinks.

Breakfast in Bed Tray IdeasStretch your budget by making your own tray or revamping a plain one:

Paint a baking sheet:Use our tips for painting metal to turn an old baking sheet into a colorful tray.

Line a plain tray:Put wallpaper scraps to good use by lining the inside of a wooden serving tray with them. Or decoupage it with photos, fabric or paper.

Try chalkboard paint: Turn a plain tray into an all-occasion platter you can use for more than just breakfast in bed. Simply brush on chalkboard paint and use chalk to label dishes.

Breakfast in Bed IdeasYou don’t have to spend the morning slaving over the stove. Try some of these quick, easy, filling and — most importantly — delicious takes on classic breakfast foods.

Fresh Takes on ToastWe think you can top toasted slices of wholesome bread with just about anything. Impress your company by spreading it with unexpected ingredients—English muffins and bagels are perfect canvases for these toppings, too:

Smear bread with chunky peanut butter, top with banana slices, drizzle with honey and sprinkle with chopped walnuts.

Layer slices of fresh avocado on your toast, then top with strips of crispy bacon.

Cream cheese isn’t just for bagels anymore! Place 8 ounces of store-bought cream cheese in a bowl and mash with a fork, adding water until it reaches your desired consistency. Then add flavor with herbs, spices or other fixings:

Heat 1 teaspoon butter in a skillet over medium heat until it bubbles, then pour in eggs.

Stir until the eggs begin to solidify, then gently fold with a spatula until no liquid remains in the pan. Remove from heat, season with pepper and garnish with chopped parsley, tarragon or sliced chives. Serve immediately.

For a special touch, fold in something extra before the eggs finish cooking. Use what you have on hand or try one of our favorite additions:

Out-of-the-Ordinary OatmealWhen time’s tight, offer your visitors a bowl of gussied-up oatmeal for breakfast, or better yet, let them create their own flavor combinations. Provide packets of instant oats or bowls of cooked old-fashioned oats and a buffet-style spread of yummy toppings:

Freshapples, bananas, blueberries, peaches and strawberries

DriedApricots, cherries, cranberries and raisins

Brown sugar, caramel, honey and maple syrup

Almonds, hazelnuts, pecans and walnuts

Extras like peanut butter, cinnamon and fruit yogurt

Breakfast in bed often presents a lot of pressure to make things perfect, but don’t worry if you don’t get a chance to do everything you planned — the entire event is meant to be a surprise, so focus on making it that way!